Voting machine



R. F. SHOUP VOTING MACHINE Feb. 23, 1943.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 7, 1959 000000000 OOOOOOJOO INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Feb. 23, 1943. SHQUP 2,312,128

VOTING MACHINE Filed March 7, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR s: avw z ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 23, 1943 VOTING MACHINE I Ransom F. Shoup, Ardmore, Pa., assignor to The Shoup Voting Machine Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application March 7, 1939, Serial No. 260,290

23 Claims.

This invention relates to voting machines and more especially to voting machines of the type illustrated in the patent to Shoup, et al. No. 2,054,102.

In some communities, the election law provides that in a group election, each voter must vote for the entire number of oflicers to be elected in such group or else his vote is invalid for that group. An object of the present invention is the provision in a voting machine of the type above referred to, of mechanism which is effective in a group election to prevent the recording of the vote of any voter who fails to operate spindles to the number of the group to be elected. With such mechanism, no record is made of the vote cast by a voter who fails to vote for the entire number in the group to be elected.

Other objects, novel features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a semi-diagrammatic rear elevation of a voting machine of the type above referred to equipped with mechanism embodying the invention, the parts being shown in curtain-closed position;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 except that the parts are shown in curtain-open position;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation of the mechanism embodying the invention, partly in section substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is a section substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Figs. 5 and 6 are semi-diagrammatic views similar to Fig. 3, but on a smaller scale showing different stages of operation.

In so far as possible, the parts are designated by the same reference numerals which designate corresponding parts in the aforesaid Patent No. 2,054,102. Vertical columns of spindles 38 are provided with operating handles 30 and have their front ends journalled in the partition 30a and their rear ends in the straps 40. Each spindle is provided with a pair of arms 59 between which extends a pin 59!) connected to a draw bar or interlock strap 6|. The draw bars 6| extend between rollers 62 slidably supported in vertical grooves in the channel member 42. Each draw bar 6| is provided with an enlarged head or Wedge 64 adapted upon movement of the corresponding draw bar 6| to move between a pair of rollers or locking members 62. Every fifth roller 62 is tubular and pins (i3 are provided to pass through such rollers and apertures rollers against movement. The arrangement just described constitutes the main spindle interlock. The spindles are normally held against operation by a locking and restoring frame consisting of vertical members 66 interconnected by horizontal bars 65 and having a vertical flange 65a engaging rollers 68' on a Vertical bar 68 supported by means (not shown) for combined vertical and horizontal movement and operatively connected all as fully shown in said Patent No. 2,054,102 to resilient means 1|. The bar 68 is provided with a pin 10 which extends into a slot 580. in the main cam bar 58 which is equipped with an arm l3 by which the main cam bar is interconnected to driving mechanism illustrated and claimed in Ransom F. Shoup, Patent No. 2,281,603. With the bars 58 and 68 in the position shown in Fig. 1, the locking and restoring frame is out of locking relation to the spindles (Fig. 4) while in the position of the bar 68 shown in Fig. 2, the locking frame is in spindle-locking position. A vertical bar 54 has oblique slots 55 through which extend pins 56 supported by a partition 30a. The bar also has a pin 51 projecting into the cam slot 58a so that upon reciprocation of the main cam bar, the bar 54 is lifted and lowered and is also caused to move horizontally. This bar is interconnected with the counters C by vertical straps 48 and horizontal bars 49 and rollers 53 in the manner described in the aforesaid patent so that in the position shown in Fig. 1, the counters are connected to the spindles for operation thereby, While in the position shown in Fig. 2, the counters are disconnected from the spindles. On the return of the machine to curtain-open position, the bar 54 is moved to counter-disconnecting position before operation of the bar 68 so that the counters are disconnected from the spindles and locked before the locking and restoring frame is moved to spindle-locking position.

In order to condition the machine to prevent registration of a vote when less than the required number of spindles'are actuated, a second interlock is provided consisting of rollers 62' mounted in vertical grooves in the channel member 42' adjustably supported by the partition in combination with straps or bars 6| connected to arms 59' carried by the spindles 38, the straps being provided with enlarged heads 64' and every fifth roller 62 being tubular for the reception of an adjusting pin 63" as previously described. A pair of links 3l0 are pivotally attached at one end by threaded studs 3 to the channel memin the. channel member 42 to lock selected 55 ber 42 and springs 312 tend to swing such links counterclockwise. The remaining ends of the links are pivotally connected to a vertical plate 3l3 having a flange 3M extending into recesses 3I5 formed in the draw bars 6|. The recesses 3l5 are of sufiicient length and proper arrangement that upon movement of a pull bar 6| to its extreme left position with the plate 3I3 in the position shown in Fig. 4, there is space left between the flange 3i 4 and the right end of the recess. The plate 3I3 rests against one face of another plate 3| 6 provided with a vertical slot 3l'l having a triangular offset portion 318 extending toward the channel member 42'. A pin 3l9 carried by the plate 3l3 extends into the slot 3|! and is connected to a push bar 320 provided with an enlarged head or wedge 32l adapted to be projected between a pair of rollers 62'.

The plate 3|6 is attached to a vertical bar 322 extending the full height of the machine and atta'ehriien't means are provided for locating the plate 3H5 at various heights on the bar 322 as desired. The lower end of the bar 322 is attached to the free end of a link 323, the remaining end of which is pivotally supported by the pm 324. Suitable means, not shown, are provided for supporting the upper end of the bar 322'.

The main cam bar 58 is provided with pins 325 and 323 adapted to engage respectively the top and bottom edges of the link 323 to effect clockwis'e movement of the link and upward movement of the bar 322 during the latter part of the leftward stroke of the main cam bar and also to effect controlled counter cloc'kwise movement of the link 323 and downward movement of the bar 322 during. the initial portion of the rightward stroke of the cam bar and to retain the link and bar at rest during the remainder of the rightward stroke. During the return of the machine to curtain=opeh position, the right-hand pin 325 engages the link 323 and moves it, together with the bar 322 downwardly'from the position shown "in Fig. 1; to the position shown in Fig; 2, before the oblique'portion of the cam slot 58a comes into contact with the pin It. Therefore, the downward movement of the rod 322-is completed before downward movement of the bar 68 begins. The shape of the link 323 is such that when the main cam bar 58 is in curtain-closed position (Fig. 1) the bar 322 is in its elevated position as shown in. Fig. 1, but upon movement of the main car'n bar to curtain-open position (Fig. 2), the bar. 322 is in its lower position as shown in Fig. 2. Thus, it is seen that the bar 322 is moved upwardly as the main cam bar moves to curtainclosed position and downwardly as the main cain bar moves to curtain-open position.

The shape of the cam slot 53 and the relation of the right hand pin 325 to the arm 323 are such that the downward movement of the bar 3223, together with the plate 315 begins before downward movement of the bar 54 begins and is completed before the bar '54 has moved downwardly sufficiently to disconnect the spindles from the counters and the location of the transverse extension 3E8 of the slot 317 is such that it is brought into register with the pin 3l9 at about the ti'met'hat downward movement of the bar 54 begins.

With the main cam bar in curtain-closed position and the bar 322 in elevated position, the springs 3| 2 tend to move the plate 343 downwardly and to the right, but such movement is prevented by engagement of the pin 3l9 in the lower portion of the slot 351. As the bar 322 moves downwardly during the return of the main cam bar to curtain-open position, it carries with it the plate 3l6, but the plate 353 remains stationary except at such time as the pin SIS is permitted to move into the extension 3E8. Such movement of the pin 3|9 is permitted only when the wedge 32I is allowedto pass between adjacent rollers 62', such condition existing only when less than the proper number of spindles has been operated. In such event, the flange 3M engages the right end of the notches 3l5 in actuated pull bars 6! to return the corresponding spindles to unvoted position and at the same time return the counters to the condition in which they were before actuation of the spindles.

Assume that the machine is to be conditioned to vote for a group of four. The spindles 38 are allocated to the various candidates in such manner that the candidates are distributed as nearly equally as possible over four rows of spindles. The pins 63 for the rollers of the main spindle interlock are so set that a maximum of four spindles may be actuated. Likewise, the pins 63' are arranged in the rollers 32' of the auxiliary interlock in such way as to permit the operation of a maximum of four spindles. Now assume that a voter enters the machine and closes the curtains thereby raising the bar 322 and plate 3l6 to elevated position and locating the pin 319 in the bottom end of the slot 3i! (Fig. 3). Next assume that he actuates four spindles as shown in Fig. 1. All the available space in the main interlock will be used up by the heads 64 and likewise all the available space will be used up in the auxiliary interlock by the heads 84, thereby preventing operation of more than four spindles. Upon return of the main cam bar 58 to curtainopenposition, Fig. 2, the bar 322 is moved downwardly with the pin 3H3 traversing the slot 3H and the bar 68 is moved downwardly to return the spindle locking and restoring frame to spindle locking position. Movement of the pin 31 9 to the right into the extension 353 under the influence of the springs 3E2 is prevented due to the fact that the wedge 32l is held against rightward movement by reason of the fact that there is no play left between any rollers 32. The plate 3l-3 is therefore held against horizontal movement by the springs 3I2 (Fig. 5).

Now assume that after entry of a voter into the machine and closing of the curtains, the voter operates less than four spindles (Fig. 3). There will then be left sufficient play between adjacent rollers 62 for the entry of the wedge 32 I. Upon return of the main cam bar to curtain-open position, the bar 322 is moved downwardly as before. However, due to the relationship between the wedge 32! and adjacent rollers 52, the pin 3| 9 now is released for horizontal movement when the oblique edge of the slot extension 3 I8 reaches the pin, which thereupon, together with the plate 3| 3 swings downwardly and to the right under the influence of the springs 312 to bring the flange 3! into engagement with the right end of the notches in the actuated draw bars iii and to locate the pin 3!!! .under the shoulder formed by the upper edge of the slot extension 3w. The actuated draw bars and the associated spindles are returned to unvoted position under the influence of the springs 352 unless the load on such bars, due for example, to the voter operating one of the spindle hands, is too heavy for the springs,

in whichevent continued down movement of the bar 322 exerts force on the plate 353 through the pin 3l9 to efiect return of the actuated draw bars 6| to original position (Fig. 6)

The return of the actuated draw bars and associated spindles is fully efiected by the time that the bar 322 reaches the limit of its downward movement which as previously pointed out is prior to sufiicient downward movement of the bar 54 to disconnect the spindles from the counters, so that return of any actuated vote spindle to unvoted position also returns the counter to the same condition it was in before actuation of the spindle. Thus, no registration is made of the vote indicated by a voter who actuates less than the required number of voting spindles. V

The wedges 64' in unvoted position of the spindles are spaced from the rollers 62 sufiiciently that it is necessary fully to actuate a spindle before the head 64 passes between adjacent rollers 62. This arrangement prevents rendering inoperative the wedge 32! by full operation of one spindle and partial operation of the remaining number of spindles of the group. Unless such provision were made, it would be possible for a voter to set certain spindles of the group which he has actuated in such position that the counters corresponding thereto would not record his vote. It would thus be possible for a voter to avoid'the election law provision that each voter must vote for the entire number of officers to be elected in a given group.

It is of course understood that various modifications may be made in the mechanism above described without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a voting machine, a group of straps movable to an operated position, strap restoring means, actuating means therefor, and means for rendering at least a portion of said actuating means inoperative upon operation of a predetermined number of straps.

2. In a voting machine, a group of straps movable to an operated position, strap-restoring means, actuating means therefor, a member movable to a position to render said restoring means operative, operating means for said member, and means for rendering inoperative at least a portion of said actuating means upon the operation of apredetermined number of straps.

' 3. In a voting machine, a group of straps movabl to an operated position, strap-restoring means, actuating means therefor, a member movable to a position to render said restoring means operative, operating means for said member, and

an interlock for said straps and said strap-restoring means effective upon operation of a predetermined number of straps to render said straprestoring means inoperative.

4. In a voting machine, a group of spindles movable to an operated position, a member movable between two positions, connections between said member and said spindles for restoring actuated spindles by movement of said member, means for moving said member between its two positions, and means for locking said member against movement from one position to the other upon operation of a predetermined number of spindles.

5. In a voting machine, a group of spindles movable to an operated position, a member movable between two positions, a lost motion connec tion between said member and each spindle, means for moving said member between its said two positions, a spindle interlock for limiting actuation of said spindles to a predetermined number, and means including said interlock for preventing movement of said member from one position to the other upon actuation of said predetermined number of spindles.

6. In a voting machine, a group of spindles movable to an operated position, a spindle interlock consisting of a row of relatively movable members, an interlock strap connected to each spindle and extending between two members, a wedge on each strap arranged on one side of said row of locking members, a first plate movable to and fro and having lost motion connection with each strap, means tending to move said first plate in one direction, a second plate movable back and forth, inter-engaging means on said first and second plates holding said first plate against movement during a portion of the movement of said second plate and releasing said first plate for movement during the remainder of the movement of said second plate, a bar connected to said first plate and extending between two locking members, a wedge on said bar arranged on the opposite side of said row of locking members, and means for reciprocating said second plate.

7. In a voting machine, a group of spindles movable to an operated position, a spindle interlock consisting of relatively movable members, an interlock strap connected to each spindle and extending between pairs of locking members, a wedge on each strap arranged on one side of said row of locking members, a first plate, means for effecting longitudinal reciprocation of said plate, a second plate supported for movement transversely of said first plate and having lost motion connection with each strap, a pin attached to one of said plates, said other plate having a longitudinal slot with a transverse extension receiving said pin to permit both relative longitudinal and transverse movement of said plates, means tending to move said second plate transversely of said first plate, a bar connected to said second plate and extending between a pair of locking members, and a wedge on said bar arranged on the opposite side of said row of locking members.

8. In a voting machine, a group of spindles movable to an operated position, a spindle interlock consisting of relatively movable members, an interlock strap connected to each spindle and extending between pairs of locking members, a wedge on each strap arranged on one side of said row of locking members, a first plate, means for effecting longitudinal reciprocation of said plate, a second plate supported for movement transversely of said first plate, a pin attached to one of said plates, said other plate having a longitudinal slot with a transverse extension receiving said pin to permit both relative longitudinal and transverse movement of said plates, means tending to move said second plate transversely of said first plate, a bar connected to said second plate and extending between a pair of locking members, a wedge on said bar arranged on the opposite side of said row of locking members, and a shoulder on each strap for engagement by said second plate.

9. In a voting machine, a group of spindles movable to an operated position, a spindle interlock consisting of relatively movable members. an interlock strap connected to each spindle and extending between pairs of interlocking members, a wedge on each strap arranged on one side of said row of locking members, a first plate, means for efiecting longitudinal reciprocation of said plate, a second late overl ing said; firs p i tailysnn crted 'nlsspiveta lr su port ns sa d seco d plate. :for swinging m ement rel ive to said fi s plate, a pin .ttached o one of sa d p t sa d her nlateha ns a lon itudinal slot with a transverse extension receiving said pin to permit both relative lon i u inal and transverse movement of said plates, means tending to swing said second plate transversely of said first plate, a bar connected to said second plate and extending between a pair of locking members, a wedge on said bar arranged on the .cpposite side of said row of locking members, and a lost motion connection between said second plate and each locking strap.

10. In a voting machine, a group of spindles movable .to an operated position, .a spindle inter-. lock .consisting of relatively movable members, an interlock strap connected to each spindle .and extending between pairs of interlocking members, a wedge on each strap arranged on one side of said row of locking members, a first plate, means for effecting longitudinal reciprocation of said plate, a second plate overlying said first plate, pivotally supported links pivotally supporting said second plate for swinging movement relative to said first plate, a pin attached to one of said plates, said other plate having a longitudinal slot with a transverse extension receiving said pin to permit both relative longitudinal and transverse movement of said plates, means tending to swing said second plate transversely of said first plate, a bar connected to said second plate and extending between a pair of locking members, a wedge on said bar arranged on the opposite side of said row of locking members, and a shoulder on each strap engageable by said second plate.

11. A voting machine according to claim 3 in which the interlock is efiective only upon complete operation of each of said predetermined number of straps.

12. A voting machine according to claim 5 in which the interlock is efiective only upon complete operation of each of said predetermined number of spindles.

13. A voting machine according to claim 6 in which the interlock is effective only upon complete operation of each of said predetermined number of spindles.

14. A voting machine according to claim 7 in which the interlock is effective only upon complete operation of each of said predetermined number of spindles.

15. A voting machine according to claim 8 in which the interlock is efiective only upon complete operation of each of said predetermined number of spindles.

16. A. voting machine according to claim 9 in which the interlock is effective only upon complete operation of each of said predetermined number of spindles.

17. A voting machine according to claim 10 in which the interlock is effective only upon complete operation of each of said predetermined number of spindles.

18. In a voting machine, a group of straps movable to voting position, strap restoring means including a first movable member and a second movable member, actuating means for said first member, means to effect movement of said second member by said first member. and means to rendcr said "l s named me ns ino erativ 1 ac: tuation o a predeterm ned number of strap l9- .In a ng c ine a roup o st aps movable to voting position, a first member movable to and fro, a second member mounted for compound movement in two directions at right angles to each other and engageable in one position by said first member to effect movementof said second member by said first member, con.- nections between said second member and said straps for efiecting restoration of any actuated strap, actuating means for said first member,-and means for efieoting inter-engagement of said first and second members in said one position upon operation of less than a predetermined number of straps while preventing the inter-engagement of said members upon the operation of said predetermined number of straps.

20. In a voting machine, a group of straps movable to voting position, a first member mov-v able to and fro, a second member mounted for compound movement in two directions at right angles to each other and engageable in one position by said first member to effect movement of said second member by said first member, actuating means for said first member, connections between said second member and said straps for effecting restoration of any actuated strap, biasing means tending to locate said second member in said one position, and means for maintaining said second member out of said one position upon the operation of a predetermined number of straps.

21. In a voting machine, a group of straps movable to voting position, a first member movable in one direction, a second member, means supporting said second member for compound movement in said one direction and in a direction perpendicular thereto, actuating means for said first member, connections between said second member and said straps for restoring actuated straps, means on one member engageable by the other member in one position of said second member to effect movement of said second member by said first member, biasing means tending to locate said second member in said position, and means for maintaining said second member out of said one position upon the operation of a predetermined number of straps.

22. In a voting machine, a group of straps movable to voting position, a first member movable to and fro, a second member mounted for compound movement in two directions at right angles to each other, means on one member engageable by the other member in one position of said second member, actuating means for said first member, biasing means tending to locate said second member in said position, means responsive to the operation of a predetermined number of straps for maintaining said second member out of said position, and connections between said second member and said straps for eirecting restoration of any actuated straps.

23. In a voting machine, a group of straps movable to voting position, a member movable between two positions, connections between said member and said straps for restoring actuated straps by movement of said member, means for moving said member between its two positions, and means for rendering at least a part of said member-moving means inoperative upon actuation of a predetermined number of straps.

. RANSOM F. SHOUP.-- 

